Mar. 9, 2011: NPR fallout

Donald commented on Greater Boston on 03.11.11
On the subject of government funding, WGBH doesnt help the NPR image by offering WBUR copycat programming. This is a waste of listeners and government contributions. We in the Boston area get smothered with duplicate programming while so many other people in rural America may lose contact with small NPR stations if government funds are cut off. Something is wrong here!

RM commented on Greater Boston on 03.10.11
Im writing to you about two things, Emily 1 Mickey Rooney and the confusion of him with your father, Andy, and 2 for clarification of your views of federal funding for ublic broadcasting. First, about the rant you gave when some station mistakenly identified Mickey Rooney testifying before a Congressional committee as your father, Andy, in the caption/tagline. I think one potential factor contributing to this error is that Mickey Rooney played the character Andy Hardy in something like 15 films. Though it doesnt excuse the error, do you think this may be partially to blame? Let me give you another example of a recent caption/tagline ID that is problematic, even more so than the Andy/Mickey Rooney mixup. This morning, MSNBC had a segment addressing Obamas decision not to enforce the Defense of Marriage Act DOMA, with expert guests on each side of the issues. The man representing the pro gay marriage side was Evan Wolfson from an organization called "Freedom to Marry." But their caption/tagline identifying the organization as "Freedom to Mary". As a gay man who has a good sense of humor, I had a good chuckle, though I suspect it would get a rant from many of my peers "Mary" being a pejorative for gay men. And my second thought was that it may have been an intentional slur. It was corrected minutes later, but you can see what Im talking about here in this clip, at the 127 mark. Consider it for a rant. http//www.freedomtomarry.org/blog/entry/videofreedomtomarrypresidentevanwolfsondebatesfrcspetersprigg. Second, related to your views about federal funding for NPR/PBS I believe I heard you mention the other day that you believe or think NPR and PBS might be better off without federal funding, or that it may be an advisable option going forward something to that effect. Can you clarify what you said, or more important, what you mean? I think I may agree with you in this one respect I wish both NPR and PBS could avoid having to constantly defend their programming and reporting against charges of liberal bias every time reauthorization of funding comes before Congress. At the same time, my understanding is that smaller especially rural stations may be unable to survive without federal funds, or that they will at the very least have to limit their signal strength or the reach or boost of their transmission in rural areas. Bigger stations like WGBH may be able to replace federal funds more easily than smaller ones, given their broader and deeper base of financial support but even that isnt a sure thing. I really hope your panel will have a frank discussion about what loss of federal funding will mean for stations on tomorrows "Beat the Press". Its my favorite televisionviewing hour of the week! I am prepared to double my own personal contribution if funding is lost, and Im wondering if other viewers/listeners will be likely to step up to the plate as well. In closing, I am grateful to be living in a media market that has introduced me to you and your program and I love having 30 minutes to spend with you every weekday, sandwiched perfectly between the "NewsHour" and "Jeopardy". Youre the best! And is there a Dan Kennedy fan club? There should be!